Year 9 Semester Elective Units

Students undertake six of the following elective units (three per semester)

Students cannot select more than 3 units from any one subject group. Subject groups are listed on the Year 9 Elective Charges page.

Whole Year Elective Units

Languages - French / Indonesian / Mandarin                   4 periods per semester

It is expected that students selecting a language elective will complete a unit in each semester in that language.

French

French aims to enable learners to communicate in speech and writing, to appreciate and respect the views and cultures of other people and to develop self-awareness and a sense of identity.  Cultural study is embedded in the topics; students will have the exciting opportunity of experiencing authentic French culture including traditional French Food, French Entertainment and places of interest in France. Students will not only consolidate their language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing through the study of selected topics but will also be independent learners with a broad knowledge and experiences of the French culture.

Indonesian

Why not continue learning Bahasa Indonesia?  It is the language spoken by more than 250 million people in our closest neighbouring countries.  It is fun and easy to learn.  You will learn how to communicate in spoken and written language, understand the people and their culture and at the same time develop self-awareness and a sense of identity. Topics that will be covered include: ‘How do we hang out?’, ‘How do we care for ourselves?’ ‘Why do we travel?’ and ‘How do we care for our environment?’  Different cultural activities selected for each of the topics are: ‘Ada Apa dengan Cinta’, cooking satay chicken, watching and researching tourist attractions in Indonesia and saving Orangutans.

Mandarin

This course is designed for students with minimal or no prior learning of the Chinese language and script. It introduces students to the essential knowledge and skills in the Chinese language, using Pinyin and 100 basic Hanzi characters. By the end of this course, students will have covered topics including daily greetings, classroom instructions, asking for and relating personal information about themselves and their family, as well as developing a cultural knowledge of Chinese speaking countries through culturally related activities.

Semester Based Electives Units

• These subjects run for one semester only.

Art

Students explore and develop ideas using research, observation and personal experiences as starting points for their practical tasks.  They explore a range of media and techniques including painting, printmaking, drawing and mixed media.  Within specified themes students will plan, design and create a folio of finished art works.  They document their process and understanding of possible visual resolution of ideas in a visual diary, helping them to develop their personal style.  Culture is an important aspect of the course that is reflected in the research tasks on artistic styles, and also in the comprehension tasks that explore comparative analysis of various artists’ works.

Astronomy & Earth Science

In this subject, you will explore the wonders of the Universe from the edge of space to the beginning of time. You will travel from our own planet to black holes to planets and moons circling other stars, from the Earth’s core to its crust and beyond to the outer edges of the universe. You will discover how the universe was created, how stars are born and die, and how different cultures explained movement in the night sky. You will discover how mountain ranges and volcanic islands where formed and how the structure of planets effect their nature. You will also look at how technology is used to expand our understanding and undertake activities to simulate how science uses tools like robots to solve problems experienced in the exploration of other bodies.

Ceramics

Students are introduced to basic construction and decoration techniques.  They study the nature of clay, oxides and glazes, and the firing process by practical and theoretical means.  Ceramics is researched historically, commercially and as an art medium.  The practical folio includes hand building (coil, pinch, slab, moulded), a sculptural piece, a negotiated own choice piece, cast forms and possibly wheelwork.  The theory components include recycling, wedging, sources of clay, firing, decoration, oxides and glazes.

Digital Technologies

This course will allow students to use and become confident in using a range of software programs and technologies.  The software chosen will vary depending on the interests and skills of the students.  They will develop an understanding of the basic skills required to solve problems using ICT.  In solving problems students will select the appropriate sources of data, software types, and design in order to produce a variety of outcomes.  Students will also explore the use of technology in the community and study the impact that this might have on society.

Disasters and Dastardly Deeds

This elective will have a strong emphasis on investigating historical mysteries and the unsolved. Students will use and evaluate visual sources of History, and will initiate their own research to a very large extent. In particular, material from the Internet, TV and videos will be used. Students will have a large input into what is studied. Topics could include unsolved mysteries, murders and turning points in history. Topics could include the Vietnam War, JFK, World War II including topics like Pearl Harbour and the Holocaust, the sinking of the Titanic, the Space Program, including Apollo 13. Topics like the demise of Kurt Cobain, the World Trade Centre, Islamic State and other legends could also be included.

Drama

Students explore different aspects of drama, performance styles and technical stage work. Through practical workshops, they are introduced to a range of non-naturalistic theatre styles and performance techniques such as transformation of character, space, object to create an original work based of a prescribed text.  The students perform shared dialogues, monologues and group-devised works.  Units include Non-Naturalism and Epic Theatre.  They are given the opportunity to work costumes and props and evaluate works created by themselves and other artists.

Drones, Droids and Directing

Students explore the use of 21st Century equipment including drones, filming and editing software and robotics in producing a multi-modal product (incorporating film, illustration and digital editing). Students will be required to plan their collaborative project and "pitch" it to the class. They will then provide an outline of their project in the form of a photo-story. Finally, the students will complete and present their final product.

Food: Café Culture (Technology)

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn about the Hospitality Industry in an authentic way and prepare students with skills to prepare them for future employment opportunities. Students will develop skills in all aspects of running a cafe, such as kitchen management, food preparation and safety, money handling, costing, cooperation, collaboration and develop conversational skills appropriate for a working environment. Students will focus on sustainability and food banks within the café culture and what happens to excess food on a daily basis.  Skills gained during this course may assist students with gaining employment in the local hospitality industries. 

Students will continue in the development of a range of cookery skills required in the preparation of a range of café style foods. 

Food for Sport (Technology)

Food plays a very important part in our lives.  It is the essential fuel that keeps us alive and is frequently the focal point of our social life, as we share food with family and friends.  Because food is so fundamental, it is important for us to understand how to prepare it, so that it provides us with the essential nutrients as well as being appealing to eat.  This course will give students the opportunity for both practical activity and theory study.  The subject will focus on the importance of fitness, fitness training and methods of improving performance. In theory classes, students will undertake a comprehensive study of nutrition and current food trends.  Course material will include fad diets, super foods, food choices, high performance nutrition, meal ideas, healthy eating strategies and exercise all to improve health and well-being.  Students will design and create their own dishes and photograph their food items in practical tests.

Food Studies (Technology)

Students will be encouraged to experience new flavours and ingredients, adapt recipes to suit various circumstances and plan menus for themselves and others.  Migration has had a dramatic effect on the food eaten in Australia.  Students will examine the history of food in Australia, beginning with traditional bush foods prepared by Australian Indigenous communities, the influence of early European settlers together with continuing immigration from a variety of cultures, and examine the subsequent effects on contemporary Australian eating patterns.  Students will design and create their own dishes and photograph their food items in practical tests.

Forensic Science

This subject investigates the roll of science in legal investigations by exposing the truth and glamour of CSI.  It looks at the skills and tools used by scientist to examine evidence and make inference as well as the limitations and reliability of tests. It also looks at the basic process of gathering evidence, testing and validating claims and applying science in a legal framework.

Some areas covered include forensic anthropology, hair, teeth and bit marks, blood splatter, DNA analysis, fingerprinting, chemical analysis, fibre testing and chromatography.

Interior Design

We are constantly altering our internal environments to better respond to our needs.  In this unit students explore interior design and how it is an extension of personality and a statement about who we are.  A focus on room accessories and furnishings is explored and skills in renovating existing furnishings are developed.  By examining methods and styles of contemporary furnishings, students can identify a variety of approaches to interior design.  Project work involves students designing and producing a functional/decorative item that suits the interior space of the user.

Materials - Design & Technology

The Year 9 course aims to extend upon the skills and knowledge acquired in Year 8.  A range of processes are covered and there is an opportunity for more specialised work with a range of different materials.  Emphasis will be placed on aspects of investigation, designing, producing and evaluating to facilitate understanding of the materials being used.  Students are expected to continue to demonstrate safe and responsible work practices.  Importance is placed on the correct use of tools and care in craftsmanship.  Models will be completed in resin, metal and wood.  At least two pieces of work are to be completed.

Media Studies

Students are introduced to the relationship between audience, and story and production elements (e.g.: camera angles, lighting, sound etc.) when planning and analysing a media product. They work individually and in groups to produce a folio of media products that communicate an idea, intention and/or genre. They develop their use of appropriate media language through their exploration, research and response to a current media issue. Students complete an in-depth analysis of a film as their major written task.

Music

Students will explore different styles of Music through listening and performing works from historical and contemporary music genres. A study of each style will include an in-depth examination of musical elements and social influences.  The students will work in groups to create a performance. Students are encouraged to perform for live audiences and will investigate the workings and origins of a contemporary band instrument whilst developing instrumental skills.

Recreational Sport

The Year 9 Recreational Sport course will introduce students to sporting and recreational facilities within school and the local community.  The aim is to encourage an increase in active participation outside of school hours.  The recreational component of this elective aims to establish a wide understanding of the importance of recreational activities in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Rock Through History

This is to be a history based unit studying the history of popular music from the mid-1950s to the present time. The emphasis will be on trying to get an overview of the development of popular music, when new styles of music developed and became popular and who the major artists were.

There will be a lot of scope for student choice, and an emphasis on using available technology. Students will be encouraged to research various stars, groups and genres of music and present their findings using a variety of formats. There will be quizzes, discussions, and a lot of playing of music, hopefully in a light-hearted, fun, but still educational fashion.  

STEM in Sport

The Year 9 STEM in Sport elective will introduce students to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths behind sport and physical activity. Using technology such as Heart Rate monitors and GPS tracking systems, students will analyse sporting performances and will apply biomechanics and sport science principles in a number of sporting context. Students will participate in both theoretical and practical classes to establish their understanding in this subject.  

This subject will assist in the preparation of students who wish to study VCE Physical Education. It will also enhance their interest and knowledge in the subject and can be applied to their own personal health, wellbeing and sporting pursuits. 

Textiles - Fibre and Fabrics (Technology)

The aim of this course is to increase the students’ interests and skills in relation to construction in a recreational craft.  Students will develop an awareness of pattern making for three-dimensional objects in fabric.  Each student will have the opportunity to learn additional skills and ways of expression through the use of various textile mediums.  Students will develop skills in hand stitching and using a sewing machine.  They will compare styles and fabrics to create soft sculptures, toys and/or functional fabric items.  An emphasis is placed on the development of consumer skills in the selection, purchase, use and maintenance of textile products. Students will explore textile weaving and Tye dyeing.

Visual Communication Design

This course involves the development of design drawing techniques including freehand drawing, instrumental drawing and rendering.  Students use various media and experiment with design elements and principles in completing work following the Design Process.  The course includes an introduction to design software package Adobe Creative Suite (including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign).  Assessment tasks include creative sketching and drawing, design tasks working to a Client Brief, three-dimensional drawing and writing about design and designers.

Design & Technology (Wood)

Year 9 Woodwork students gain skills in constructing common joinery for timber.  Students will test materials and use hand tools and processes to create an article of furniture.  Students work through the product design process and gain skills in researching for a design brief and production of working drawings and dimensions to create their own design.  Every student will be expected to gain experience in furniture construction methods and present a small project.  Correct use and maintenance of tools will be emphasized and students will continue to develop safe and responsible work practices.